Pulisic misses penalty as Juve and Milan draw
AC Milan and Juventus drew 0-0 at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday in a tightly contested Serie A fixture, with American winger Christian Pulisic notably missing a penalty early in the second half.
The match marked Massimiliano Allegri’s return to Juventus since his departure last May, as he aimed to steer his team back to the summit of Italy’s top flight. Despite solid defensive performances from both sides, the stalemate leaves Juventus in fourth place, two points behind joint leaders Napoli and Roma, while Milan remain just ahead by a single point.
The first half featured limited clear-cut chances, with the nearest effort a flicked header from Juventus forward Santiago Gimenez that narrowly missed the target following a cross from Strahinja Pavlovic. Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan was initially quiet but produced a remarkable save early in the second half to deny Federico Gatti’s close-range volley.
The pivotal moment came in the 50th minute when Milan was awarded a penalty after Gimenez was brought down in the box by Lloyd Kelly following a precise through ball by Luka Modric. Pulisic stepped up but sent his spot-kick over the crossbar, marking only the second penalty miss in his professional career. He attempted immediate redemption with a long-range shot, which was comfortably saved by Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.
Allegri’s side pressed forward with substitutions including Portuguese forward Rafael Leão, who tested Di Gregorio with a daring shot from inside his own half and later missed a high-quality chance from a Pulisic assist. Despite persistent efforts in injury time, including attempts from Leão and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Milan could not break the deadlock.
The result emphasizes the cautious approach both teams adopted, highlighting defensive resilience rather than attacking risk-taking. For Juventus, the draw under Allegri’s renewed leadership points toward a rebuilding phase where tactical discipline and gradual improvement are prioritized. Milan, meanwhile, maintain their status as strong contenders but will seek more clinical finishing to capitalize on key moments as the season progresses.
This encounter underscores the competitive balance within Serie A this season, reflecting tactical depth and the ongoing battle for top positions in the league table.